Police issue 21 notices over anti-social behaviour

Police have issued 21 young people with "dispersal notices" in response to repeated anti-social behaviour in Bestwood.

Officers said they first received reports of large groups of young people causing issues in Southglade Park during the bank holiday weekend - and when it continued, issued multiple dispersal orders, which gave police additional powers to move people on.

The force received reports of fighting, setting small fires, abusing shop staff, throwing stones, riding bikes in front of moving vehicles and intimidating behaviour.

It said the names and addresses of 34 young people - the majority of whom come from the local area – had been identified, of which 21 received dispersal notices.

Nottinghamshire Police added 23 parents or guardians received anti-social behaviour warning letters, advising them what the individual had done, reminding them that the child was their responsibility, and signposting them to available support.

Police said Nottingham City Council Housing Services had also been notified about which of its tenants have received letters, and would be arranging visits with them to "discuss their tenancies" in the coming weeks.

The College of Policing describes a dispersal power as the power to direct a person to leave a specific location for up to 48 hours if authorised by a police inspector or above.

It added a direction could be given to anyone who was, or appeared to be, over the age of 10.

Sgt Katie Taylor said the "continuous stream" of anti-social behaviour in this part of Nottingham had been "totally unacceptable".

"Tackling [anti-social behaviour] has been a City North policing priority for some time now, for the sole reason that we appreciate how much these unpleasant offences impact the local community and affect their quality of life," said Taylor.

"Our teams have issued multiple dispersal orders in recent days - a decision we never take lightly but one that on this occasion has led to some positive results."

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